New Porsche Panamera Sets A Nürburgring Lap Record

• It set a 7:29.81-minute time, the record for an “executive car”.

• The new Panamera gets various chassis improvements and a power bump.

Since its introduction for the 2010 model year, the Porsche Panamera has managed to blend luxury, prestige and performance like few other executive cars ever have. And now, it’s better than ever.

And by better, we mean that the new Porsche Panamera, with its revised chassis dynamics, has just set a new one-lap record of the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife. The 20.832-kilometre lap was covered in only 7:29.81 minutes, or about 13 seconds faster than a 550-horsepower 2016 Panamera Turbo.

This was made possible by the setup of the electromechanical roll stabilization system, new Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 sports tires, and powertrain enhancements. Test driver Lars Kern (32) was at the wheel of the Panamera and had this to say about the car:

“The enhancements made to the chassis and the powertrain of the new Panamera were always noticeable during this lap on what is recognized as the most demanding race track in the world,” says Kern. “In the Hatzenbach or also Bergwerk and Kesselchen sections in particular, the new setup of the electromechanical roll stabilization system remains consistently effective and provides the Panamera with incredible stability in spite of the bumpy track surface. At the Schwedenkreuz, the car benefited from the improved lateral dynamics and the increased grip of the new Michelin sports tires. I achieved cornering speeds there that I would not have believed possible with the Panamera.”

The Porsche Panamera has always blurred the lines between a true sports car and a luxury sedan. The upcoming updated car will further mesh the extremes, between handling and comfort.